Joe Bonamassa ripped Red Rocks apart last night! His guitar skills were as pronounced and defined as the giant red monoliths that stood before him. It was out-of-this-world guitar and vocal marksmanship served up with class, showmanship, and sharp attire. The guy is the whole blues/rock package with unbridled musical skills and an ambitious attitude. Bonamassa definitely paid attention when he was growing up, influenced and encouraged by his father, an avid music fan with, I imagine, an extensive vinyl collection for young Bonamassa to draw his ambition from.
Bonamassa began playing guitar at the age of four and seemingly never put the thing down. His influences are deeply rooted in the British Blues Rock arena and American blues. Opening twenty dates for B.B. King when he was just twelve years old was the beginning of his professional musical adventure. King had a keen eye for young talent, and Bonamassa was exceptionally talented at such an early age. Personally, I discovered Bonamassa in the mid-nineties when he was in a band called Bloodline. Originally formed as Bonamassa’s backing band, this group indeed had a very special bloodline. Four of the founding members had famous musical fathers, including Berry Duane Oakley Jr., son of Berry Oakley, the original bass player of the Allman Brothers; Aaron Hagar, son of Sammy Hagar; Waylon Krieger, son of Robbie Krieger, the guitarist for The Doors; and Erin Davis, son of Miles Davis.
Listing all of the collaborations, nominations, awards, number-one albums, producer credits, and other accolades Bonamassa has amassed would be an exhausting task for me as the writer and you as the reader. Just keep in mind the list is as big as Bonamassa’s vintage guitar and amp collection, which he calls his Bona-seum. With over 400 guitars and amps, it should be a museum and probably will be someday for younger generations of music fans and artists to learn from, admire, and remember the guy called Joe Bonamassa.
In a way, Bonamassa has pioneered “New Blues,” meaning he has brought blues music into a different spotlight, attracting both younger and well-seasoned fans. He is very traditional in his approach yet fiercely contemporary and creative in his live performance abilities and recording and producing style. His time on stages around the world, and at arguably the best venue in the world, Red Rocks, is something to behold, and the fans in Morrison, Colorado, got just that last night from Bonamassa and his powerhouse band.
On guitar and vocals was Joe Bonamassa, with Josh Smith also on guitar, Lamar Carter on drums, Calvin Turner on bass, Reese Wynans on keyboards, and Monet Owens, Jade MacRae, and Dannielle De Andrea on backing vocals. The three-piece horn section laid down some seriously soulful vibes packed with punch and power. Opening the set with "Hope You Realize" quickly indicated that Bonamassa and his band were about to light up Red Rocks with a hard-driving blues rock concert experience. "You Upset Me" and "24 Hour Blues" followed, solidly showcasing the band's cohesiveness and Bonamassa’s undeniable skills on guitar and vocals.
Bonamassa’s arsenal of guitars presented different tones and textures, and combined with his fierce playing style that soothes your soul and melts your face in the same breath, it was otherworldly. The backup singers' heavenly voices filled the amphitheater with beautifully executed vocal range and soulful power. Wynans on keyboards commanded the ivories with cool cascading grooves and powerful solos that sounded like he was standing on his Hammond organ. Turner on bass and Carter on drums provided a deep bottom end that hit you right in the chest and set up a great launching pad for the rest of the band. Smith was smooth and cool on rhythm guitar, maintaining great timing and keeping the arrangements flowing with tasteful riffs. All I can say about Bonamassa is that pound for pound, he is one of the best guitar players on the planet, and he knows how to show it—his stage presence was classy, comfortable, and outrageously entertaining.
The fans loved it; I have never seen such a long line to purchase Bonamassa’s cool merchandise. There were many smiles from fans who drove and flew many miles to witness this pure rock and roll superstar we affectionately call Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa.
